Microgravity Interdisciplinary Research

MIR (2003) is an artistic research project about space travel and zero-gravity.

In the spring of 2003 V2_ co-organized a series of parabolic flights and activities at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City (RUS). The first outcomes, research and projects of the participating artists and scientists of these flights were unveiled at a presentation and a seminar during the Architecture Biennial 2003.

The ideas and experiences among experts from various disciplines were exchanged and the relevance of these experiences discussed in the realm of 'disembodiment versus physicality in virtual reality'. The physical properties of zero gravity initially appear obvious, but the effect on the mind and body - on movement and physiology - as well as upon materials is a very recent area of research.

The physical properties inherent within zero gravity rarely form part of our conscious perception. Much of our physical system is adjusted to and indeed 'designed' by the gravitational forces that work on our body. Even though we are not particularly aware of how gravity affects our physical system, these forces have a great impact on both body and mind. The ability to remove the effects of gravity as a variable in human physiological research has only been available to scientists since the start of the space race. The only practical means with which to alter gravity in relation to the human body are through centrifuges (increasing gravity), off-planet space travel or orbit, free-fall, scuba diving and underwater sojourn, parabolic flight or through its simulation with virtual reality.

Until today research in this field has also mainly been conducted by scientists. V2_ approaches outer space with its unique conditions such as the variations in the force of gravity now for the first time from an artistic and cultural point of view.